25 November 2012

Jet Lag-Curing Glasses

Sleep researchers of Flinders University, Australia, have released a pair of glasses that helps to counter jet lag and reset body clocks.

The ‘Re-Timer’ is a device worn like a pair of glasses that emits a “soft green light” onto the eyes of its wearer—to keep its wearers more alert and advance or delay their sleeping patterns.

According to chief inventor of the device, Psychologist Professor Leon Lack, the Re-Timer stimulates the part of the brain responsible for regulating the 24-hour body cock.

“Body clocks or circadian rhythms influence the timing of all our sleeping and waking patterns, alertness, performance levels and metabolism,” he said in a statement.

“Photoreceptors in our eyes detect sunlight, signal our brain to be awake and alert, and set our rhythms accordingly. These rhythms vary regularly over a 24-hour cycle. However, this process is often impaired by staying indoors, traveling to other time zones, working irregular hours, or a lack of sunlight during winter months.”

Perfect to overcome sleeplessness and to reset the body clock (for shift workers or frequent travelers), the glasses developed through 25 years of research needs to be worn for 50 minutes for three days—either after waking up in the morning to advance the body clock, or before bed to delay it.

Re-Timer comes with a rechargeable battery within its frame and a USB cable for charging, and can be purchased on its website for AUD$274.